Cebu Media Women Condemn Congressman's Misogynistic Remarks During Impeachment Debate
In a strong statement, STET – Women in Cebu Media has voiced its support for the Movement for the Safety and Welfare of Women Journalists (We-Move), condemning the derogatory remarks made by Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay towards women during the House of Representatives' deliberations on the impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, has sparked outrage as it coincided with the opening of National Women’s Month and just days before International Women’s Day on March 8.
Standing Against Degradation
In their declaration, STET – Women in Cebu Media emphasized their alignment with We-Move in standing against any form of degradation or objectification of women. They appealed for "sobriety and intelligent discourse" within the Cebu media community regarding the incident. We-Move, a consortium established in 2023 to promote safe spaces, welfare, and security for women journalists, asserted that Suntay's statements were inappropriate and have no place in any formal forum.
The group highlighted that words spoken in powerful settings, such as congressional halls and media platforms, carry significant influence and can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. We-Move is pushing for clear accountability to demonstrate that misogynistic and demeaning remarks are unacceptable in a democratic society.
Public Apology and Defense
While Suntay has publicly apologized for his controversial comments, which fantasized about actress Anne Curtis, he has stood by his use of an "analogy" to explain his point on impeachment. Suntay made these remarks in defense of Duterte's statement that she did not attend President Bongbong Marcos's State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2024 because she considered herself a "designated survivor."
A 'Designated Survivor' refers to a government official intentionally kept away from a major event where the nation's top leaders gather. Suntay also defended another statement by Duterte, where she claimed to have negotiated with a hitman to kill Marcos, his wife, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were to be assassinated.
Intentions and Fallout
In an interview with reporters on March 4, Suntay stated that his intentions were not malicious and he did not aim to cause hurt through his example. He apologized to Curtis and others who were offended but reiterated that his actions were merely a "fictitious situation" intended to show that "desire" and "imagination" should not be the basis for an impeachable offense.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in political and media spheres, particularly during sensitive discussions like impeachment proceedings. The response from media groups like STET and We-Move highlights a growing demand for respectful and equitable discourse in public forums.
